Sausage casing tying machine



March 1, 1949.

Fil ed Nov. 22,

Casing Tyi n Uh Fig.1

4 Rofary Casing Su porfu'w s. Acfuah'ng Uni? .1. c. GUNN 2,462,957

SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Casin Fold-n unw INVENTOR Joel C, Gunn ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE l3 Shee,tsSheet 2 Filed Nov. 22, 1947 INVENTOR Joel C. Gxznn ATTORNEYS J. c. GUN N SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE March 1, 1949.

15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 22, 1947 INVENTOR Joel C. Gann Mi, ML

ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE 15 SheetsSheet 4 Filed Nov. 22, 1947 ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN 2,462,957

SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22; 1947 15 sheets-sheet 5 Hold s v mp ai INVENTCR Jo 6L C. Gun]:

ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 22, 1947 INV ENTOR Joel C Glann ML 110ml;

ATTQRNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN 2,462,957

SAUSAGE CASING TYING', MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1947 1s Shets-Sheet '7 Edg. 14 d INVENTOR l C: Gxznn BY ME ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J. c. GUNN 2,462,957

SAUSAGE GAS ING, TYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fig. 20

INVENTOR Joel C. Gazm M ml ATTORNEYS March 1, 1949. J, c, U 2,462,957

SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 1O mmuuu INVENTOR ,JoeZ' C. Gun'n ATTORNEYS March 1, 1 949. J. c. GUNNQ SAUSAGE CASING TYING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Nov. 22, 1947 INVENTOR Joel 6'. Gun]:

.m ML

ATTORN EYS March 1, 1949. GUNN SAUSAGECASING mm MACHINE I3 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Nov. 22, 1947 INVENTOR JoeZ C. Giunn ATTORNEYS Marchl, 1949. J. c. GUNN SAUSAGE CASING TYlNG MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed NOV. 22, 1947 INVEhjTOR Joel C, Gunn ATTORNEYS B QI m Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

The present invention relates to, and it is an object to provide, a novel, automatic machine for handling artificial sausage casings before filling thereof; the purpose of the machine being to afiix, to one end of each casing, a tie and suspension string.

In the sausage manufacturing industry it is the custom to tie one end of each casing with a string, and to then fill the casing from the opposite end. The present invention deals solely with the application or tying of such string.

Heretofore it has been the practice to knot such strings on the casings by hand, which was a slow, tedious, and expensive operation.

The artificial sausage casings are manufactured in tubular but flattened form, and are precut to proper length; such casings then being arranged in stacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic machine which is operative to feed such tubular but flattened sausage casings, one at a time, from a stack, and thence in timed relation in a predetermined path; the machine, at certain points on said path, acting on each casing successively to fold or pleat the same into a compact longitudinal bundle; to then tie a length of string, tightly knotted, about one end portion of each bundle; and to finally discharge the tied-end casing from the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sausage casing tying machine, as above, including mechanism operative to first double back an end portion of the bundled casing onto an adjacent part thereof and about a pre-fed transverse length of wire; the string then being tied about said doubled-back end portion and adjacent part of the casing inwardly of said length of wire; the latter preventing slippage of the knotted string from the adjacent end of said casing.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an automatic sausage casing tying machine, which comprises, in novel combination, a

casing folding unit; a casing supporting and actuating unit to which the folding unit delivers tying machine, as in'the preceding paragraph, in

which both the casing supporting and actuating unit, and the string tying unit, are rotary and travel in fixed relation; the rotary motion of this assembly being employed effectively, and in novel manner, to operate the several worki mechanisms carried by said assembly.

A further object is to provide a reliable machine, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic side elevation of the machine. i

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the casing folding unit. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on line 33 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section on line L- l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a safety switch which may be employed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the rota y carrier showing one of the casing gripping mechanisms as just engaged in gripping relation with a casing.

Fig. 8 is a similar view, but shows such casing gripping mechanism as shifted to move the engaged casing into cooperation with the tying unit. Fig. 9 is a cross section of the rotary carrier. Fig. 10 is a diagram of the operating cycle of the actuating cam for the casing gripping mech- 4() ing in the supporting trough or channel.

Fig. 12 is a similar View, but shows such clamp as spread or opened to engage said casing. Fig. 13 is also a similar view, but shows the casing as gripped by the clamp.

Fig. 14 is also an enlarged, fragmentary section and illustrates such casing just prior to its release into the carry-01f conveyor.

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the casing as released by opening of the clamp.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section of saidone clamp and a casing kick-out arm associated therewith and actuated by a downward sweep of the rotary carrier.

Fig. 17 is a somewhat diagrammatic end elevation of the rotary disc of the tying unit and cooperating gear and cam members; this view showing the path of the string as threaded in the machine.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the string guide and tensioning devices.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the string tensioning and cutting devices.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the-rotary disc of the tying unit showing one tying device, including the associated wire feed, cutter, and guide.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary radial section of said one tying device taken on line 2I2I of Fig. 20, and shows a casing advanced into tying position (as in Fig. 8). e V

Fig. 22 is a similar view showing the wire as lowered into casing engagement by'the wire guide and cutter. I

Fig. 23 is also a similar view, but shows the corresponding needle as advanced to double back the outerend portion of the casing over the wire and into engagement with the adjacent part of saidcasing.

Fig. 24 is a front elevation'of one of the string tying devices as mounted on the rotary disc of the tying unit.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary radial section of said one tying device; the wire guide and cutter being flat sausage casings I0 disposed lengthwise of the raised and the first turn of string having been,

' made about the doubled-back casing.

Fig. 26 is a similar view but shows two and one-half string wraps about the double back casing; the last wrap being engaged in the needle hook.

' Fig. 27 is a View similar to Fig. 26, but illustrates the full number of wraps of'the string about the doubled-back casing and the needle being retracted to make the knot.

.Fig. 28 is a similar view, but shows the casing as being retracted from said one tying device.

Fig. 29 is an illustration of one of the rotating string wrapping elements or spinners, detached,

as used in each of the tying devices.

Fig. 30 is an end elevation of the'rotary, needlemechanism.

Fig. 31 is adiagram of the operating cycle of the needle actuating cam.

Fig. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the needle mechanism showing one.

needle as retracted in the corresponding sleeve.

Fig. 33 is a similar View but shows the needle advanced.

Fig. 34 is likewise a'similar View but shows the needle and sleeve fully retracted.

arrangement is such that the casing'folding unit =3 delivers to the rotary, casing supporting and actuating unit 4, while the latter properly positions each supported casingfor end tying thereof with astring, in the-manner described, byjthe tying 5.

machine.

These sausage casings II] are fed, one at a time, and in predetermined timed relation, from the top of the stack 9 along the bottom plate 8 by a pair of feed wheels II of a floating feeding device, indicated generally at l2, which is pivotally suspended from, and driven by. a cross shaft I3. Each such feed wheel I! includes a circumferential friction face I4 of part-circle extent, which serves to recurringly feed the top casing I 0 from the stack 9, as described. The cross shaft I3 is driven by an endless chain and sprocket unit I5 from another cross shaft I8 actuated by an endless belt and pulley unit I! from said stackby the feeding device I2.

Ahead of thefloating feeding device I4, the

housing "B encloses a bottom feed, friction con- .ve'yor EilwhichWorks'in cooperation with the bottom plate 8 to deliver the fed casings II] in a forward direction; said friction conveyor 2!] being mounted on, and driven by, the cross shaft I6. The conveyor 20 preferably includes anendless ch'ain 2| whose links are faced with rubber pads 22.

The tubular but flat casings IILas each feeds along the bottom plate "8, beneath and by means of the friction conveyor 20, are longitudinally folded or :pleat'edint'o a'bundle which is compact in cross section, by means of the following ar- 'rangem'ent:

Beneath said friction "conveyor 2%] the bottom plate Bisform'ed with aplurality of converging channels 23, which channelsbec'ome progressively narrower and deeperiin the'direction of travel of the bottomrun of the friction conveyor 20. This is clear 'from l ii'gs. i4 and 5.

Longitudinal creasing ribs 24 are mounted on, and depend from,-cross bars 25 into corresponding 'ones'of the channels 23. Thus, with advance by the frictionconveyor 20, each of the initially tubular but-flattened casings 'IIl is pleated longitudinally "and folded into a lengthwise bundle which is quite comp'act'in transverse section.

At the forward end of the above described pleating mechanismjthefolded casings ID are successively engaged between, and power-advanced forwardly by, a cooperating pair of feed wheels 26, coupled together by a crossing endless belt and pulley u'nit'2l, and one of'which'wheels is driven by a vertical'shaft 28 actuated from the assembly of gearing I S. These fee'd wheels also positively "crease the casings.

Beyond the cooperatingfeed wheels 26, which area part of the casing folding unit 3, the machine includes an upwardlyopening trough of -chanr-ieli29 'fixed in the mainframe of the machine -horizcn'tally and lengthwise thereof in position roller 3| on the outer end of said swing arm running in the channel 29 from one side thereof. The roller 35 is spaced from the other side of the channel a distance to permit of the passage of afolded one of the casings. However, should two of such casings jam into the channel 29, the

roller 3| is urged outwardly; the arm 30 carrying a switch finger 32 which then breaks a contact 33, opening a circuit 34, which stops the motor. This driven roller serves the additional purpose of advancing each casing lengthwise to,

the correct position in the channel.

Beyond the casing folding unit 3, and in cooperative relation to the channel 29, the machine includes the rotary, casing supporting and actuating unit 4 comprised of the following, and as 5 shown in some detail in Figs. 7 to 16, inclusive: A central shaft 35 extends horizontally and lengthwise of the machine beyond the casing folding unit 3, and said central shaft is journaled in.

connection with, and supported by, posts 38; such central shaft 35 being driven from the reduction gear boX l9a by an endless chain and sprocket unit 31. It is thus possible to time the central shaft 35, and the working parts carried thereby, in exact predetermined relationship to operation of the feeding device l2 and the pleating mechanism, including the friction conveyor 20 and feed rollers 26, so that folded casings travel through the machine, one at a time, in controlled and timed relation.

A rotary carrier, indicated generally at 38, is fixed on the central shaft 35 and includes end spiders 39 carrying guide bars 49 between corresponding outer ends thereof, and each of these guide bars is mounted with a casing gripping mechanism, as indicated generally at 4!.

As such casing gripping mechanisms are all alike, a description of one will suffice. Each such casing gripping mechanism comprises a. sleeve 42 slidable along the corresponding uide bar 48, and such sleeve is fitted, at the ends, with casing clamps 43 which project outwardly.

7 Thus, each casing gripping mechanism 4| in cludes a longitudinally spaced pair of the clamps 43 on'the corresponding sleeve 42, and each such clamp includes a fixed outer jaw 44 and a movable inner jaw 45 normally urged toward the outer jaw by aspring 4B. Thus, the clamps 43, which face in the direction of rotation, are normally closed.

The channel 29 intersects the paths of rotation of the clamps 43 of each pair, and said channel is cut away at the points of intersection, as at 47, to permit the clamps to work upwardly through the channel from below whereby to engage, grip, and pick up from said channel the folded casing, here indicated at 48, previously deposited in said channel from the feed rolls 28.

When each pair of clamps 43 approaches the channel 29 from below, the corresponding sleeve 42 is in a position to the left, i. e. remote from the tying unit 5, as in Fig. 7, and said jaws are closed,"as in Fig. 11. Before said pair of clamps reaches the channel 29, lateral pins 49 on the movable jaws 45 engage and ride along clamp After discharge of each casing 48 responding pair of clamps 43, the sleeve is held opening cams 58, opening said clamps, as in Fig. 12, and maintaining them open until such clamps engage the casing 48 in the channel 29, whereupon the pins 49 escape the cams 50, and the clamps 43 positively grip the casing 48, as in Fig. 13. 1

With continued rotation of the rotary carrier 38, the casing 48 in the clamps 43 is raised a certain distance from the channel 29, and thence the sleeve 42 is automatically shifted in the manner hereinafter described, full to the left, in order to project the forward end of the casin 48 into the tying unit 5.

Advancing and retracting of each sleeve 42 on the corresponding guide bar 48 is accomplished by a control arm 5| afiixed to each sleeve 42 and overhanging a circuitous cam track 52 fixed in the frame, which cam track is of channel type. The control arm 5| includes a roller 53 traveling in the cam track 52.

A diagrammatic illustration of the cycle of motion of the sleeve 42, under influence of the cam track 52, is set forth in Fig. 10. In this diagrammatic figure the words Advance and Retract mean motion of each sleeve 42 and supported casing 48 toward, and away from, the tying unit, respectively.

The gripping and release points of the pairs of clamps 43 are also illustrated in this diagrammatic view.

As each longitudinally extending, folded casing 48 is lifted out of the channel 23 to a predetermined point thereabove, the cam track 52 then acts to advance the sleeve 42 and said casing 48 toward the carrying unit 5, as explained above.

The casing 48 remains advanced and in cooperative relation to the carrying unit 5 through that part-circle extent of turning of the rotary carrier 38, indicated by the notation Hold sleeve advanced, in Fig. 10. It is during this part-circle extent of turning of the rotary carrier 38 that the adjacent end of the casing 48 is tied with a string by the mechanism, and in the manner, hereinafter described.

After this string tying operation, and as the rotary carrier 38 reaches the end of the Hold sleeve advanced part of each revolution, the cam track 52 acts to retract the sleeve 42, together with the corresponding clamps 43, and the then end, tied casing 48 gripped therein. Upon the sleeve 42 being so retracted the lateral pins 49 of the clamps 43 engage and ride upon clampopening cams, 54, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15; this occurring directly above a casing receiving hopper 55 extending along a carry-off conveyor 56 disposed adjacent the bottom of the rotary carrier 38, and which conveyor delivers the end tied casings from the machine. As the pins 49 ride onto corresponding cams 54, the clamps 43 open, as illustrated in Fig. 15, and the engaged casing 48 then drops into the hopper 55 onto the conveyor 58 for deliver from the machine.

To assure that the casings 48 not stick in the clamps 43 when the latter are opened above the hopper 55, the kick-out mechanism shown in Fig. 16 is employed, which mechanism comprises, adjacent each clamp 43, a pivotally mounted, kickout arm 51 formed with a half loop 58 at one end adapted to strike the casing 48 in a direction to discharge it from the clamps, upon the other end of said arm being engaged by the corresponding sleeve 42.

from the cor retracteduuntil said clamps again pick another a rotary disc 59 fixed on the central shaft35 adjacent, and for unitary turning'motion with,-the rotary carrier38; said disc-being enclosed, about its periphery, with a protective housing 69. At oircumferentially spaced points thereon, correspending to, and in alinement with the longitudi- :nal position of casings 48 carried by pairs of clamps 43, the'rotary disc 59 is fitted with tying devices, each indicated at'6l. Asthe corresponding casing 48 is lifted from the channel 29 and advanced with the sleeve 42, the forward end of said casing projects into the alined tying device 6! and remains therein for the part of the revolution of the mechanism identified in Fig. as Hold sleeve advanced.

Therelative positions ofthe tying devices 6| on the rotary disc 59 are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 17, while a detailed showing of oneof the devices may be found, in its various working positions, in Figs. 20-29, inclusive.

As each tying device 6| is a duplicate of the others, a detailed description of one is .sufiicient for this specification, except in connection with the threading of the string, which is as follows:

The casing tying string, indicatedat 62, leads across the face of the rotary disc 59 from a source of supply (not shown), but traversing a guide .63. From the guide 83 the string, upon rotation of the disc 59, is successively picked up-in relation to each tying device fil-by a string guide and ment of the string with each tying device.

Each tying device comprises a tubular body 68 supported, in non-rotatable re1ation,by a'bracket 69 from one of a pair ofmounting plates 10 which overlies opposite sides of an opening 7 l in the rotary disc 59. The tubular body 68 extends through the mounting plates 10 in alinement with the path of advancing motion of the correspending casing '48; the end portion 61 of said casing traveling through the tubular .body 88 during advance of said casing.

Guides 59aprojecting from-brackets69 assure proper entry of the adjacent end of each casing .into the corresponding device 5| when said casing is clear of thechannel and is being advanced.

As the end portion 9! of a casing advances through the tubular body B8it strikes, and is deflected at a radially outward incline by, 'a similarly inclined, deflector plate "I2 mounted, 'atiits outer end, on a spring-pressed slide 13 which yieldably maintains the inclination of the de- 'ileotor plate 112 but permits it to depress, as in Fig. 22, to a position parallel to the axis of 'rotation ofv the disc 59. The slide it is carried on an adjacent leg Ml of a spider, indicated generally at 15, mounted on the central shaft 35adl'acent but spaced from the rotary disc 59and turning therewith in fixed relation.

The free or inner end of the deflector plate 12 rests againstthe tubular body 68 withinthe body thereof, as shown. The spider 15 is included in the knotting needle mechanism of the machine,

which mechanism is indicated generally at 16,

'82 fixed in the main frame.

8 and includes, with said spider 1.5; anothermatching spider ll inaxiallyspaced relation; the legs --of said spider being connected, .at the outer end,

by tubular bars 18, in each of which an elongated needle I9 is slidably mounted. Each such needle 19 includes a hook at its working end; i. e. the end adjacent the rotary disc 59, and at the opposite end theneedles 19 project beyond the spider 11 and are-there each fitted with a roller =8! which runs in a channel-like cam track The cam track 82 is of a configuration to operate the needles (9 each through a cycle as represented diagrammatically in Fig. 3 1. The action of each needle 19, in relation to the other working parts of the corresponding tying device 6|, is hereinafter described and is illustrated in Figs. 23-27, inclusive.

'After each casing 48 projects through the corresponding tying device BI, and the end portion 81 of such casing engages the adjacent deflector plate 12 and is inclined outwardly,.as in Fig. 21, the following described wire feed, cutter, and guide mechanism comes into play:

A spool 83 carrying non-metallic wire 84 is rotatably mounted on thedisc 59 in corresponding relationship to each tying device 6|,and includes a guide duct 85 leading from such spool to the tying device 5!. At such tying device the wire delivers from the duct 85 between a pair of feed gears 88, and thence passesthrough a guide block 8'5 which deliversthe wire in intersecting relation :to the projecting and inclined end portion 61 of the casing, as in Fig. 21.

With rotation of the disc 59, the feed gears 86 are operated at a predetermined time, as illustrated by the cycling diagram of Fig. 17, by a fixed gear segment 88 projecting inwardly from the housing 60 for actuating engagement with one of the feed gears 86. When this occurs the wire 84 is fed'out from the block 87 a predetermined distance to cross or intersect the inclined end portion 61 of-the casing;

said one feed gear-86 then escaping thefixed gear casing. 48; imparting a relatively sharpbend 92 to said casing, as illustrated in Fig. 22. This bend occurs by reason of the fact that the outer end of the portion 81 of the "casing rests against the *end of the'adjacent spider leg 14, and when the bend 92 is made, the deflector plate 12 is pressed downward to its position parallel to the axis of the body 68.

Immediately uponzthisoccurring, the cam track 82 acts to advance the corresponding needle 19, which then projects out of its tubular bar I8 into engagement with the end portion .61 of the casing 48, folding such end portionback upon itself, as shown in Fig. 23; the cut length of wire, as now illustrated at 93, together with the string 62 as threaded on the rotary disc 59, being caught in the fold, as shown in said figure. The advanced needle 19 remains in the above position for the string winding operation which occurs at the next sequence of the machine, as follows:

Each tying device 6| includes,-about the tubular body 68, a rotary spinner 94 threaded on the outside of said body 68, with threads of a size to shift said spinner 94 a distance equal to one diameter of the string 62 with each revolution of such spinner. The threading is such that the spinner 94 moves axially away from the spider 15 upon rotation of said spinner; such rotation being accomplished by a toothed neck 95 which projects from the spinner 94 for engagement with a operating gear segment 96 mounted in the housing 60 for engagement by said toothed neck 95. A clock-type coil spring 91 surrounds the spinner 94 and is connected between the same. and the disc 59 whereby to normally maintain said spinner in its advanced position toward the spider 15. When said spinner 94 is rotated in a direction to retract it relative to said spider, the spring 91 is loaded so that it is ready to accomplish return rotation of the spinner to its starting position. The spinner 94 of each tying device 6| includes retraction into the tubular bar 18, the following operation takes place to cut the-string so that the wrapped around and knotted portion thereof.

may remain with the casing 48:

The string guide and tensioning device 64 which leads each carrying device 6| includes a spring clip I02, as illustrated in Fig. 18, while the string tensioning and cutting device 66 includes a normally operative spring actuated string clamp 193 in which the string normally engages. Inwardly of the clamp I03, which opens under pggdetermined tension on the string 62, is a cutter After the above described knotting operation of each tying device 6|, and after full retraction of the corresponding needle 19, the tension as ima half moon or half circular string wrapping projection 98, which includes a string receiving notch 99, both as clearly shown in Fig. 29.

When the rotary disc 59 progresses through the part of each revolution identified as Tying device rotated, in the diagram of Fig. 17, the i posed on the string at the clamp I03 by operation of thenext following unit 6! becomes such that the string snaps through such clamp, engages, and is severed by, the cutter I04.

With one end of the tie string thus severed, the machine, by reason of the operation of cam track 52, then operates to retract thecorresponding sleeve 42 to withdraw the knotted end casing 48 out of the corresponding tying device Bl on the rotary disc 59. When this occurs, the remaining end of the previously severed string pulls through and escapes the guides 64 and 65 as well as the hook 89 of the then retracted needle 19; both ends of the string then following the knotted end casing out of the tying device 6|.

needle 19 and the deflector plate 12; the last turn or wrap falling into the hook 80, as illustrated in Fig. 26.

The turns or wraps of the string are made side by side by reason of the retraction of the rotary spinner 94 as it rotates.

After such three turns or wraps of the string 62 have been made, the toothed neck 95 of the spinner 94 escapes the gear segment 96, whereupon the then loaded spring 91 rotates the spinner 94 back to its starting position, and for its next cycle of operations, upon the following revolution of the disc 59.

When the string wrapping operation is complete, the cam track 82 acts on the corresponding needle 19 to retract it into the tubular bar 18, at which time the turn of the string 62, which is engaged by the hook 80, is pulled under and through the remaining turns or wraps, as illustrated in Fig. 27, making the desired knot; the pulled under loop being drawn by the hook 89 into the tubular bar 18, as shown in Fig. 28.

As the needle 19 continues to retract into the tubular bar 19, the hook-engaged turn of the string is pulled further through the other turns and into engagement with the notched end I90 of a spring-pressed sleeve llll in the corresponding bar 18 about the needle. This imposes a friction grip against the needle engaged loop of the string and prevents its easy sliding lengthwise through the hook 8ll. The cam continues then to retract the needle 19 and the sleeve I01 farther into the bar 18, all the time tightening the knot about the folded-back end portion of the casing. The respective positions of the needle 19 and spring-pressed sleeve Hll are illustrated in Figs. 32-34, inclusive, while a diagram of the needle cycle will be found in Fig. 31.

When the needle 19 reaches its position of full Also, at this time the knotted end portion of the casing slips off the deflector plate 12, and said plate, under the action of its spring-pressed slide 13, returns to its normal starting position.

When clear of such tying device, and at the point marked Casing release in the cycling diagram of Fig. 17, such casing is automatically discharged in the manner, and by the mechanism,

, heretofore described, into the hopper 55 and onto the carry-off conveyor 56.

As will be evident, the operation of each tying device 6|, with each revolution of the rotary disc 59, follows exactly the same cycling or steps relative to a corresponding casing 48 projected automatically through said tying device.

With the above described machine, sausage casings of artificial type are knotted at one end with a string in a practical and effective manner, eliminating the necessity of handtying as heretofore practiced. The machine not only accomplishes the ready application and knotting of the string, but also inserts, at the bend, the short length of wire, which prevents the knot from slipping off the adjacent end of the casing. As indicated, this wire is non-metallic, and preferably of a semi-solid rubber or a synthetic composition. i

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. 1

While this specification sets forth the presen and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which pleat andfoldinitially fiat sausage casings each into atransversely compact longitudinal bundle and to then advance thesame one at a'time along a predeterminedpath, a support on the frame to which, the folded casings are thus fed, a power drivenstringtying unit mounted on the frame adjacent the support,. a power driven casing actuating unit mounted on the frame adjacent said support arranged to receive each folded casing from thesame-and to advance said casing to, and thereafter retract it from'the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion of thecasing, and power driving means connected tothecasing folding and feeding unit, thestring tying unit, and the casing actuating unit to cause operation thereof in predetermined timed rela.-'

tion. a

2. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, a power driven casing folding, and feeding unit mounted on the frame operative to pleat and fold initially flat sausage casings each into a transversely compact longitudinal bundle and'to then advance the same one at a time along apredetermined path, a support on the frame to which the folded casings are thus fed, a power driven string tying unit mounted on the frame adjacent the support, a power drivencasing actuatingunit mounted on the frame adjacent said support arranged. to receive each folded casing f-romthesame and to advance said casingto, and thereafter retractit. from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion of the.casing,,and'power driving meansconnected to the casing folding and feeding. unit, the string tyingunit, and the casing actuating unit to cause operation, thereof in predetermined timed relation; the casing folding and feeding means including a longitudinal platform corrugated lengthwise thereof, the corrugations converging forwardly and in such direction decreasing in width and increasing in depth, casing folding ribs mountedi'lengthwise in the corrugations, and a feeder operative toadvance initially flat sausage casings one at a time between said platform and ribs.

3. Asausagecasing tying machine comprising a main frame, a power driven casing folding and feedingunit mounted on the frame operative to pleat and fold initially fiat sausage casings each into a transversely compact longitudinal bundle and tothen advance the same one at a time along a predetermined path, a support on the frame towhich the folded casings are thus fed; a power driven string tying unit mounted on the frame adjacent the support, a power driven casing actuating unit mounted on the frame adjacent said support arranged to receive each folded casing from the: same and to advance said casing-to; and thereafter retract it from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length. of string about one end portion of the casing, and. power driving means connected to the; casing folding and feeding unit, the vstringrtying unit, andthecasing actuating unit to cause operation thereof in predevtermined timed relation; the support being a fixed channel into which each folded casing is fed, the

tying unitand the casing actuating; unit being rotary and connected? for rotation as a unit, the casing actuating unit including means to, pickup each casing. from the channel, said means being shiftable parallel to. the axis: of. rotation, and cam means operative, upon rotation of said casing a 12 actuating unit; to shift saidpick-uplmeans to so advance and retract the picked-up casing to and from the tying unit.

4. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame,. a power driven. casing folding and feeding unit mounted on the frame operative to pleat and fold initially flatsausage casings'each into a transversely compact longitudinal bundle and. to then advance. the same one at a time along a predetermined path, a support on the frame to which the folded. casings are thus fed, a power driven. string tyingunit mounted on the frame adjacent the support, a. power driven casing actuating unit mounted onthe frame adjacent said support arranged to receiveeach folded casing from the same and to advance said casing to, and thereafter retractit from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion of the casing, and power. driving means connected to the casing folding and feeding unit, the string tying unit, and the casing actuating unit to cause operation. thereof in. predetermined timed relation; the. support being. a fixed channel into which each folded. casing is fed, the tying unit and the casing actuating unit being rotary and connected for rotation as a unit, the casing actuating unit including means to pick up each casing from the channel, said means being shiftable parallel to the axis of rotation, and cam means operative, upon rotation of said casing actuating unit, to shift said pick-up means to so, advance and retract the picked-up casing to and from the tying. unit; the latter including a string tying, device embodying a string spinner through which each folded casing projects when advanced.

5. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame; a power driven casing folding and feeding unit mounted on the frame operative to pleat and fold initially fiat sausage casings. each into a transversely compact longitudinal bundle andt'o-then advance the same one atatime along a predetermined path, a support on the frame to which the folded casings are thus fed, a power driven strin tying unit mounted on the frame adjacent the support, a power driven casing actuating unit mounted on the frame adjacent said support arranged to receive each folded casing from the same and to advance said casing to, and thereafter retract it from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end, portion of the casing, and power driving means. connected to the casing folding and feeding unit, the string tying unit, and the casing actuating unit to cause operation thereof in predetermined timed relation; the support being a fixed channel into which each folded casing is fed, thetying unit and the casing actuating unit being rotary and connected for'rotation; as a unit, the casing actuating unit including means to pick up each casing from the channeLsaid means being shiftable parallel to the axis of rotation, and cam means operative, upon rotationiof said casing actuating unit, to; shift; saidpick-up'means to so advance and retractthe picked-up casing to and fromthe tying unit; the latter including instrumentalities. operative; to dispose. a length of wire and a length of string across said. end portion of. each casing as advanced, to then double back said end portion over the wire and string, and thencejknot: thestring about said doubledback portion and the adjacent part of the casing.

tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion thereof, and power driving means connected to the tying unit and easing supporting and actuating unit to cause operation thereof in predetermined timed relation.

7. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, a power driven string tying unit mounted on the frame, a power driven casing supporting and actuating unit mounted on the frame adapted to advance each supported casing to and thereafter retract the same from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion thereof, and power driving means connected to the tying unit and casing supported and actuating unit to-eause operation thereof in predetermined timed relation; said units being rotary, and a central, driven shaft upon which the units are fixed for rotation in unitary relation, the casing supporting and actuating unit including a slide member mounted radially out from but shiftable parallel to the shaft, casing supporting means on said slide member adapted to carry a casing likewise parallel to the shaft, cam means operative to reciprocate the slide member upon rotation of the shaft to thus advance a supported casing to and retract it from the tying unit.

8. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, a power driven string tying unit mounted on the frame, a power driven casing supporting and actuating unit mounted on the frame adapted to advance each supported casing to and thereafter retract the same from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion thereof, and power driving means connected to the tying unit and casing supported and actuating unit, to cause operation thereof in predetermined timed relation; said units being rotary and a central, driven shaft upon which the units are fixed for rotation in unitary relation, the casing supporting and actuating unit including spaced radial legs on the shaft, a bar connecting the ends of the legs, a slide sleeve on the bar, spaced casing engaging clamps on the sleeve adapted to carry a casing parallel to said bar, and cam actuated means associated with said sleeve operative to reciprocate the same upon rotation of the shaft to thus advance and retract a supported casing relative to the tying unit.

9. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, a power driven string tying unit mounted on the frame, a power driven casing supporting and actuating unit mounted on the frame adapted to advance each supported casing to and thereafter retract the same from the tying unit, the latter being operative upon advance of each casing to knot a length of string about one end portion thereof, and power driving means connected to the tying unit and easing supported and actuating unit to cause operation thereof in predetermined timed relation; said units being rotary, and a central, driven shaft upon which the units are fixed for rotation in unitary relation, the casing supporting and actuating unit including spaced radial legs on the shaft, a bar connecting the ends of the legs, a slide sleeve on the bar, spaced casing engaging clamps on the sleeve adapted to carry a casing parallel to said bar, and cam actuated means associated with said sleeve operative to reciprocate the same upon rotation of the shaft to thus advance and retract a supported casing relative to the tying unit, the tying unit including a string tying device having a string spinner through which the casing projects when advanced, said spinner deriving its rotation in a string spinning direction from rotation of the tying unit relative to a fixed part-mounted in connection with the frame.

10. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, a central, driven shaft, a power driven string tying unit including a rotary member fixed on the shaft and a tying device mounted on said member for travel therewith, said tying device having a passage therethrough parallel to the shaft for reception of one end portion of a casing, and a casing supporting and actuating unit axially alined with the tying unit including a pair of radial arms fixed on the shaft, a bar parallel to the shaft connecting the arms, a slide sleeve on the bar, cam means to reciprocate the slide sleeve upon rotation of the shaft, and spaced casing clamps on the sleeve adapted to support a casing parallel to the shaft and alined with said tying device whereby to advance and retract the casing to project one end portion through and then withdraw the same from said tying device, the latter being operative in timed relation to knot a length of string about said end portion of each casing as projected through said tying device.

11. A sausage casing tying machine, as in claim 10, including a casing supporting channel mounted parallel to the shaft across the path of the casing clamps, the channel opening in the direction of rotation and having cut-away portions to permit passage of the clamps in casing pick-up relation; said clamps being spring closed, and cam means arranged to open the clamps ahead of the channel and to close the clamps upon pick-up of a casing from the channel, and to then reopen the clamps after said reciprocation of the sleeve and supported casing to and from the tying unit.

12. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a frame, a driven shaft on the frame, a, tying unit including a rotary disc fixed on the frame, and a plurality of open string tyin devices in circumferentially spaced relation on the disc, each operative to knot a length of string about the end portion of a casing projected therethrough; and a casing supporting and actuating unit including a rotary assembly fixed on the shaft adjacent said disc, slide means adapted to clampingly support separate casings in alinement with corresponding tying devices, and cam means operative upon rotation of said assembly to reciprocate the slide means to advance the adjacent end portions of the casings through corresponding tying devices and to then withdraw said end portions.

13. A sausage casing tying machine comprising a main frame, sausage casing supporting means mounted on the frame operative to advance the casingthrough a predetermined longitudinal path and then retract said casing after a predetermined time lag, and a casing tying device mounted on the frame in the path of advancing motion of and in string tying relation to one end portion of a casing; said casing tying 

